Nosferatu (2024)
Film Analysis


Director:
Robert Eggers.
Country:
US.
Year:
2024.
Language
English (a little Hungarian and Latin)
Setting story:
19th Century Germany, fictional north German harbour town of Wisborg.
Location shot:
The exterior was filmed at Romania's Corvin Castle, while the courtyard scenes were shot at Pernštejn Castle in the Czech Republic. Everything else was built.
Genre:
Horror.
Cast:
Willem Dafoe, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Ralph Ineson.
Based on:
Nosferatu (1922).

Introduction.
I was eager to see Robert Eggers' Nosferatu (2024). As one of my favorite modern directors, I’ve consistently been captivated by his distinct vision and storytelling. Eggers' historical accuracy and meticulous attention to detail are truly remarkable. From his hauntingly atmospheric debut The Witch (2015) to the unsettling and visually striking The Lighthouse and The Northman, Eggers has an extraordinary ability to craft eerie, mystical atmospheres that leave a lasting impression well after the movie is over.

Nosferatu (2024).
Nosferatu: A Vampire Tale Reimagined.
At first glance, Nosferatu may seem like just another vampire movie. But, true to Eggers' style, it offers something much deeper. The film carries his signature filmmaking techniques, including his stunning use of color. The palette is typically Eggers: a blend of dark blues and blacks, contrasted with golden yellows and the warm glow of open flames. He uses these hues to set a tone that feels both timeless and otherwordly.
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Eggers' attention to detail is unmistakable once again in Nosferatu. He has a real talent for immersing the viewer in the period and environment he's creating. In this case, 19th-century Germany. The dialogue has an old-world quality, and the costumes are so meticulously crafted that they immerse you in this world and add a layer of authenticity to the film's historical setting.
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Nosferatu (2024) and its beautifully crafted costumes. .
The Story: Gothic Romance meets Horror.
Set in 19th-century Germany, Nosferatu unfolds as a dark, gothic love story. Thomas Hutter (played by Nicholas Hoult) and Ellen Hutter (played by Lily-Rose Depp) are at the heart of the narrative. Thomas, a real estate agent, is tasked with traveling to the mysterious Count Orlok’s (played by Bill Skarsgård) remote castle to finalize a property deal. Despite Ellen's unsettling gut feelings, Thomas embarks on the journey, leading both him and his wife into a heap of trouble - and that's putting it lightly.
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Nosferatu (2024).
Cinematography.
The camera work in Nosferatu is beautiful. Eggers is known for his precise direction, and this film is no exception. Below we will discuss:
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1. The Visual Composition Techniques.
2. The Cinematic Camera Movement Techniques.
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#1. Visual Composition Technique.
Eggers uses the following composition techniques, among others:
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Frame within the Frame: Eggers uses 'Frames within the Frame" to add a layer of intrigue. A particularly striking example of this occurs when Thomas enters or exists Count Orlok's castle. The doorways and windows become natural framing devices, echoing a style similar to The Lighthouse. This use of frames within frames creates a sense of confinement, adding to the ominous atmosphere of the story.
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Symmetry: Robert Eggers also makes use of perfect symmetries, reminding me a little bit of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining (1980).
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Frame Within The Frame technique used in Nosferatu (2024)
#2. Cinematic Camera Movement Techniques.
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L-Shaped Movement: A recurring technique in Nosferatu (2024) involves following characters along a horizontal plane first, and then transitioning into a vertical motion, creating an "L"-shaped camera movement. This movement adds depth to the visual world.
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Moving around the subject: In the scene where Thomas arrives in the village of Roma's, the camera moves in a circular motion, capturing the people surrounding him. This technique emphasizes his isolation and the sense of being encircled, heightening the feeling of unease and drawing attention to the dynamic between Hutter and his environment.
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Long Shots: Eggers effectively employs long shots to build tension. For example, when Hutter enters the roma village, the use of long shots allows the audience to take in the scale of the environment, amplifying the sense of dread and the vulnerability of the character within the larger, ominous setting.​​​
The Colour Palette: Blues and Oranges
The film’s color palette is a hallmark of Eggers and evokes the subdued tones of The Witch(2015).
Soft, desaturated colors dominate the screen, with the stark contrast of blue and orange playing a crucial role in the visual storytelling. These complementary colors heighten the tension, as blue and orange are opposites on the color wheel, enhancing the sense of duality between the cold, shadowy world and moments of warmth or danger.
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